'Hot Off the Press' exhibit debuts at Bethlehem's National Museum of Industrial History

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF INDUSTRIAL HISTORY

Alan Runfeldt of Excelsior Press in Frenchtown, N.J.operates a Chandler & Price Platen press, a hand-fed machine used for small print jobs such as handbills and stationary, at the National Museum of Industrial History in Bethlehem.

Alan Runfeldt of Excelsior Press in Frenchtown, N.J.operates a Chandler & Price Platen press, a hand-fed machine used for small print jobs such as handbills and stationary, at the National Museum of Industrial History in Bethlehem. (NATIONAL MUSEUM OF INDUSTRIAL HISTORY)

Get a hands-on look at how the printed word revolutionized the spread of knowledge throughout the world at the National Museum of Industrial History’s new exhibit, “Hot Off the Press: Printing and Papermaking.”

The exhibit, which continues through the end of October, features rare printings, including 17th century translations, the first German-translated Bible printed in the Colonies and “Martyrs’ Mirror,” the largest book printed in Colonial America.

From the Gutenberg press to Linotype machines — like those seen in the hit movie “The Post” — “Hot Off the Press” provides an in-depth and interactive look at how printing presses, paper and ink were used to spark one of the most influential industries.

Visitors also can check out working printing presses and use them to print take-home mementos, a one-of-a-kind scale model of a Fourdrinier papermaking machine and mosaics saved from the demolished Bethlehem Steel Printery.

“The rich history of printing is relatable to people of all walks of life, from our forefathers who literally printed history to our parents reading newspapers to our kids growing up in libraries,” said Kara Cenni, president and CEO of the Museum.

The museum at 602 E. Second St. is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is $12; $11, seniors, students and veterans; $9, ages 7-17; free, ages 6 and younger. Info: 610-694-6644, nmih.org.